History of Horses in the year 1406

Greetings, fellow equines! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood grey mare, reporting live from Hayfield, a charming little spot nestled near Aberdeen in Scotland. You know how much I love digging through the dusty old scrolls in the village library, discovering secrets and stories from the past. Today, my dear friends, I’m going to share with you some snippets from the world of horses in the year 1406!

Buckle up, because we're going on a historical journey!

1406 was a fascinating year, brimming with exciting events and challenges. King James I, the first of his name, was on the throne in Scotland, and there was quite a stir about this new monarch. While life in the village was fairly predictable - sunrise, breakfast of oats, a bit of work pulling the cart, sunset, and rest - whispers of war drifted on the breeze from across the border. King Henry V was flexing his muscles in France, and you could sense the unease in the air, even this far north.

For us horses, life was full of routine, but also demanding. Working on the farm meant long days pulling ploughs through the fields, or transporting goods for trade to nearby villages. I especially enjoyed my task of carrying the miller's sacks of grain to the bakery - that satisfying feeling of muscles working hard and a sense of accomplishment as we reached our destination!

Now, I know some of you might be saying, "Oh, Emma, you just toil away day after day in the fields, life's just a routine!" Well, you see, dear friends, it's precisely this dedication that makes us so important to people. Our strength and our steady pace were relied upon in so many ways.

Farmers couldn't cultivate their crops without us, tradesmen wouldn't reach their customers without our tireless effort, and even messengers needed our speed to carry news across the land. Imagine, dear friends, a world without horses. No majestic knights galloping into battle, no gentle carriages for ladies to ride in, no swift delivery of vital messages! We are the heart and soul of transportation in this era!

Now, while our work in the fields is essential, it's not the only facet of our existence. I have heard tales of magnificent steeds participating in grand jousting tournaments, where they display both courage and agility, dashing back and forth with their armoured riders, the crowd roaring with delight! Just imagining the exhilaration! I would love to be part of a grand tournament someday, to feel the wind rush past my mane and the earth trembling beneath my hooves. It must be a sight to behold, these valiant horses and their noble knights.

Did you know that in this year, there are many stories circulating about healing and medicinal properties attributed to us, especially horse manure? Yes, I know it might sound peculiar, but the folk wisdom is using it to cure certain illnesses. You can imagine the pungent smell, and it's certainly not my preferred perfume, but people find it very useful! Another curious fact - I’ve also heard tales of some healers using horsehair for stitches to mend wounds! Now, who knew a grey mare like me could be so valuable in such a manner!

For me, the best part of my day is when the farmer's young son, Angus, joins me for a walk in the meadows. We don't always speak in words, you see, but we understand each other with gentle nuzzles, a shared silence under the vast blue sky, and the sound of our footsteps on the grass. These moments of peaceful connection are precious to me, and it makes me realise how deeply humans and horses depend on each other, not just for tasks and necessities, but also for companionship.

Okay, fellow equines, it’s time for a little bit of a confession. You might not believe it, but in 1406, some folks even used horse teeth for ornaments! Can you imagine that? It's pretty unusual to me! I can just see someone making a beautiful necklace from my pearly whites! I'm pretty sure my dentist would object!

And there you have it, friends! A peek into the world of horses in the year 1406. We may not be travelling on spaceships or surfing the internet (wouldn't that be incredible?) but our role is vital, our story unfolds with every day, and our bond with humanity is deeper than you can imagine!

So, until next time, let us keep trotting through the ages, making a difference and forging beautiful connections in every hoofbeat!

Happy trails and much love, Emma.

(Visit Emma's page on Equiworld at www.equiworld.org to join the conversation about horses throughout history and share your thoughts on 1406. Share this post with your fellow equine friends! )

(Emma hopes you enjoyed this journey back in time. She’s looking forward to exploring even more interesting corners of equine history in her next post. Stay tuned!)